To the technical gurus among you this might be a dumb question but, compared with the FA 50mm 1.4, I don't understand - why does the D-FA 50mm 1.4 need to be such a monster? (I realise it will have a built-in focus motor, but surely there must be more to the explanation.)

MrB wrote:To the technical gurus among you this might be a dumb question but, compared with the FA 50mm 1.4, I don't understand - why does the D-FA 50mm 1.4 need to be such a monster? (I realise it will have a built-in focus motor, but surely there must be more to the explanation.)

Philip

I'm not 100% sure, but I think modern lenses use more elements to try and achieve lower distortion figures than the older models. I dunno if this has any practical use. I have an FA 50/1.4 and it's quality is plenty good enough for me.

MrB wrote:To the technical gurus among you this might be a dumb question but, compared with the FA 50mm 1.4, I don't understand - why does the D-FA 50mm 1.4 need to be such a monster? (I realise it will have a built-in focus motor, but surely there must be more to the explanation.)

Philip

I'm not 100% sure, but I think modern lenses use more elements to try and achieve lower distortion figures than the older models. I dunno if this has any practical use. I have an FA 50/1.4 and it's quality is plenty good enough for me.

I don't know the differences but I have to admit that the DA*55/1.4 really seems to stand out in my "standard" lens collection, so the modern designs must be doing something right

MrB wrote:To the technical gurus among you this might be a dumb question but, compared with the FA 50mm 1.4, I don't understand - why does the D-FA 50mm 1.4 need to be such a monster? (I realise it will have a built-in focus motor, but surely there must be more to the explanation.)

Philip

I'm not 100% sure, but I think modern lenses use more elements to try and achieve lower distortion figures than the older models. I dunno if this has any practical use. I have an FA 50/1.4 and it's quality is plenty good enough for me.

I don't know the differences but I have to admit that the DA*55/1.4 really seems to stand out in my "standard" lens collection, so the modern designs must be doing something right